Grua virgo, 31 



appearance in flocks of from twenty to thirty birds and upwards, and the form of these 

 flocks very much resembles those of the common crane, and they almost always fly very 

 high, especially when passing wooded country ; but when crossing the plains they fly 

 lower, and occasionally come within gunshot. For the first week after their arrival 

 flocks of these birds mingle with those of the common crane, and resort to any fields of 

 newly-sown grain that they can find, and to these they often do great damspge. 

 Regularly once or twice during the day they repair to some lake or pond of fresh water 

 to drink. In the evening the fields are deserted, all the birds going to the nearest lakes 

 or marshes, where, I believe, they remain all night. About the second week after their 

 arrival the flocks break up into pairs, which disperse themselves all over the country. 

 Very soon after the birds have paired they begin to lay. Eggs may be found from 

 about the third week in April to very nearly the end of May ; but much depends on the 

 state of the weather. The nest of the Demoiselle Crane is, without exception, made on 

 the ground, usually amidst some kind of young grain, but often amongst grass on 

 fallow land, and now and then, though more rarely, amongst stubble. The nest — if 

 indeed such it can be called — is made by the birds pulling up or treading down the 

 grain, grass, or stubble fdr the space of about two feet, and scratching the shallowest 

 possible hollow in the middle of the bare patch thus formed. A few small straws and 

 stones are often found in and about this hollow, but whether they are brought there by 

 the birds, or found there by them, which is very probable, I cannot say with any 

 certainty. 



I believe myself, however, that they are placed there by the birds. The eggs, which 

 are never more nor less than two in number, are always placed side by side, in the 

 hollow already described, with their small ends pointing in the same direction. The 

 male assists the female in hatching the eggs ; indeed, I have every reason to think 

 that he sits as much as the female. To the uninitiated in the habits of this bird, 

 its eggs are very diflB.oult to find. When an intruder approaches the spot where the 

 eggs lie, he at first sees nothing except perhaps a solitary bird standing on one leg as 

 if sleeping. Should he not be a very good observer, as he draws nearer he will 

 probably only notice a pair of birds walking rapidly away, plucking the grass as they go, 

 apparently feeding eagerly, and he will most likely account for the sudden appearance 

 of the second bird by concluding that it had been sitting on the ground resting, and will 

 not think anything about the matter, and pass on. Very few persons indeed would at 

 all suspect that the birds had a nest. Often, nay, almost always, when the birds have 

 placed some distance between them and their nest, they will take flight, and to all 

 appearance desert the spot altogether, but no sooner is the intruder's back turned, than 

 there they are again in a wonderfully short space of time. One of the birds, I believe 

 the male, always keep watch over the other, except in the middle of the day in very hot 

 weather, when the bird, which acts as sentinel, deserts its post and goes to the nearest 

 pond or lake to drink. It does not, however, remain away very long. 



Should the bird whose place it is to watch while the other sits be absent, the sitting 

 bird when disturbed is not quite so guarded in its movements, and will allow a much 

 nearer approach. When the eggs are first laid the birds will leave them as soon as an 

 intruder comes in sight, but as the incubation advances they become less shy, and will 

 not leave their eggs so readily. 



I cannot say whether the bird which watches stands close to or a little distance from 

 the nest. I rather incline to the latter opinion. If a crane be observed chasing other 

 birds away from any particular spot, it is a sure sign that it has a nest not far off. This 

 bird will give chase to eagles and great bustards without the least fear should they 

 venture near its nest. For all kinds of harriers and seagulls it has a great dislike. I 

 have been told by the Tartars that, should a dog by chance go near the nest of this bird, 

 both the birds will attack him, striking him with their beaks and wings, and making a 

 great noise all the time. I myself have never had an opportunity of witnessing suoh 



